Inside Umbra's Ruins ✓ [Umbra's Fate #2]

ɴɪɴᴇᴛᴇᴇɴ: ꜱᴛᴇꜰᴀɴ

Going back to the Protectors as fast as possible.

Every step Stefan took was aimed at getting back to the group. He didn't need to resume his role as leader, it was enough for him to walk through the front door of the headquarters once more and hear the chaos created by the members.

He missed them despite all the times they gave her migraines with their impulsive decisions. He missed the nervousness leading up to battle and the satisfaction that followed victory.

He needed to go back.

The time for complaints was over by the instant he walked through the driveway of his new home. There was only one path: recovery.

"Fortunately only the cornea was damaged, with treatment it's possible to recover a large percentage of your vision. And if necessary, a cornea transplant could be performed."

Stefan snapped back to reality and looked up at the doctor's face. The ophthalmologist's smile showed more happiness than his patient's reaction.

"I don't think the transplant will be necessary, recovering just a portion of my vision is enough. But I appreciate your help."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, let's start with the treatment and then discuss the next steps based on the results."

"That sounds good."

The doctor wrote the order for the medications and treatment instructions. Stefan diverted his gaze towards the window to his right, the street and its passers-by were more interesting to him than the almost empty white walls of the office.

"That would be all, do you have any questions? I wrote down everything we talked about to make it clearer."

Stefan reached across the desk and grabbed the papers. "Thanks. I believe I can manage with these instructions."

"I'll see you again in a week to check the progress."

He rose from his seat as the doctor spoke the last words. He blurted out another thank you without even thinking about it, the only thing on his mind was his next item on his to-do list: training with Gellert.

He crossed the less traveled corridors. It took him longer to reach the hospital exit and the dim lighting, which came from the fluorescent tubes that were still working, made it difficult for him to see the unevenness of the floor, but still, it was better than facing the accusing glances of the other patients.

Heat hit her body as soon as she stepped through the hospital gate, outside the barrier created by the air conditioning. He made his way down the stairs toward the sidewalk carefully, his good eye kept fixed on the steps.

"Excuse me, the lady over there with the blue hat!"

An unknown voice made Stefan turn his head toward Liberty Park, just across the street. a group of people was gathered at the edge of the square, close to the sidewalk. In front of them was a red sign, written in large white letters "The Protectors doomed Umbra. They must be stopped before they ruin us."

"I don't have time for this," answered the woman with the colorful hat. She settled the shopping bag on her shoulder and took three steps.

"I think I know you," insisted the man, his large green eyes moving to follow her. "Aren't you Mrs. Brener? I went to school with your son. Don't you remember me? I'm David. How's Charles?"

Stefan's breath hitched at the mention of Charles Brener's name. How long had it been since his funeral? Almost two months?

"He's dead," whispered the mother.